Wall mounted storage system and related components and methods

ABSTRACT

A storage system includes one or more hang brackets that support one or more vertical standards. The hang brackets include one or more anchor components that rotate into the wall for simple manual installation. A template system is also provided to facilitate proper position of components on a wall.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to wall mounted storage systems such as those utilized in closets, pantries and garages.

BACKGROUND

Modular storage systems such as modular shelf systems utilized in closets are well known. A number of commercially available systems utilize an elongated horizontal hang rail from which a plurality of vertical standards are hung. However, such systems require the use of tools to install and are particularly difficult for one person to install. Moreover, under some circumstances the vertical standards can shift laterally relative to, bow outwardly or pivot away from the wall surface.

It would be desirable to provide a storage system that can be installed without tools, can be installed by a single person and that provide a more stable mounting of the vertical standards.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a storage system includes at least one hang bracket mountable on a wall, the hang bracket including a base and a support portion. A vertical standard includes a front side having a plurality of mount slots distributed vertically therealong, and a rear portion configured for engagement with the support portion. At least one anchor component is pivotably positioned at a front side of the base, the anchor component including a pivot end and a retainer end. The retainer end includes at least one wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom and having a wall penetrating extent that extends rearwardly of the base when in an install position.

In another aspect, a storage system includes a plurality of hang brackets mounted on a wall, the hang brackets mounted at substantially the same height and laterally spaced apart. A plurality of vertical standards are provided. Each vertical standard includes a front side having a plurality of mount slots, with each vertical standard hung from a respective one of the hang brackets, wherein each hang bracket supports only one vertical standard.

In another aspect, a storage system includes at least one hang bracket mounted on a wall. A vertical standard includes a front side having a plurality of mount slots distributed vertically therealong, the vertical standard hung from the hang bracket. The hang bracket includes a base with a back side seated against the wall, a support portion projecting outward and upward from the base. A plurality of anchors are pivotably located at a front side of the base, each anchor component including a pivot end and a retainer end. The retainer end includes at least one wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom and passing through a respective opening in the base such that a curved wall penetrating extent of the retainer is engaged within the wall so as to secure the hang bracket to the wall.

In another aspect, a hang bracket and vertical standard combination mountable on a wall includes a hang bracket including a base with a back side for seating against a wall, and a plurality of anchor components pivotably located at a front side of the base. Each anchor component includes a pivot end and a retainer end, where the retainer end includes at least one curved wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom and having a rearwardly extending wall penetrating extent. Each anchor component is pivotable between a forward position and an install position. In the forward position the retainer end is moved away from the front side of the base and the wall penetrating extent is forward of the back side of the base, and in the install position the retainer end is located adjacent the front side of the base and the wall penetrating retainer passes rearward of the back side of the base. A vertical standard is supported by the hang bracket.

In another aspect, a hang bracket assembly is provided for use in hanging a vertical standard of a storage system from a wall. The hang bracket assembly includes a hang bracket with a base having a plurality of spaced apart openings, a lower support portion projecting outward and upward from the base and an upper retention portion extending outward from the base. A front side of the base, the support portion and the retention portion together form a channel A plurality of anchor components are pivotably located within the channel, each anchor component including a pivot end and a retainer end, where the retainer end includes at least one curved wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom, and each anchor component is pivotable between a forward position and an install position. In the forward position the retainer end is moved away from the front side of the base and the wall penetrating retainer is forward of a back side the base, and in the install position the retainer end is located adjacent the front side of the base and the wall penetrating retainer passes through a respective one of the openings in the base and rearward beyond the back side of the base.

In another aspect, a hang bracket assembly is provided for use in hanging a vertical standard of a storage system from a wall. The hang bracket assembly includes a hang bracket comprising a base having a plurality of space apart openings and a support portion projecting outward and upward from the base. A plurality of anchor components are pivotably located on a front side of the base, each anchor component including a pivot end and a retainer end, where the retainer end including at least one curved wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom. Each anchor component is pivotable between a forward position and an install position. In the forward position the retainer end is moved away from the front side of the base and the wall penetrating retainer is forward of a back side of the base, and in the install position the retainer end is located adjacent the front side of the base and the wall penetrating retainer passes through a respective one of the openings in the base and rearward beyond the back side of the base.

In another aspect, a storage system includes at least one hang bracket mounted on a wall, the hang bracket including a lower support portion and an upper retention portion. A vertical standard includes a front side having a plurality of mount slots distributed vertically therealong, the vertical standard hung from the support portion of the hang bracket. A cap member is mounted over the hang bracket, a rear side of the cap member configured to cooperate with the top end of the vertical standard and the retention portion to prevent the vertical standard from moving upward off of the support portion while the cap member is in place.

In another aspect, a storage system includes at least one hang bracket mounted on a wall. A vertical standard includes a front side having a plurality of mount slots distributed vertically therealong, the vertical standard hung from the hang bracket. An intermediate anchor is installed along a lower half of the vertical standard to secure the vertical standard against lateral movement along the wall and outward movement away from the wall.

In another aspect, a template is provided for installing a wall mounted storage system that includes multiple hang brackets, vertical standards and intermediate anchors. The template includes a sheet material having a plurality hang bracket positioning slots or openings therein and a plurality of intermediate anchor positioning slots or openings therein, wherein the sheet material has a collapsed configuration for package insertion and an expanded configuration for system install. The sheet material is configured such that in the expanded configuration (i) the sheet material has a first dimension and a second dimension running perpendicular to the first dimension, the first dimension longer than the second dimension, a first edge of the sheet material is substantially linear and runs substantially parallel with the first dimension, and (ii) when the sheet material is placed adjacent a wall with the first edge of the sheet material positioned on the ground, each intermediate anchor positioning slot or opening is located at a respective intermediate anchor install location on the wall, and (iii) when the sheet material is placed adjacent the wall with the first edge of the sheet material facing upward and with each intermediate anchor positioning slot or opening aligned over one of the intermediate anchor install locations, then each hang bracket positioning slot or opening is located at a respective hang bracket install location on the wall, which hang bracket install location is vertically aligned above one of the intermediate anchor install locations.

In another aspect, a template is provided for installing a wall mounted storage system that includes multiple hang brackets, vertical standards and intermediate anchors. The template includes a sheet material having a plurality hang bracket positioning slots or openings therein and a plurality of intermediate anchor positioning slots or openings therein, wherein the sheet material has a collapsed configuration for package insertion and an expanded configuration for system install. The sheet material is configured such that in the expanded configuration: (i) the sheet material has a first dimension and a second dimension running perpendicular to the first dimension, the first dimension longer than the second dimension, first and second major sides, a first edge of the sheet material is substantially linear and runs substantially parallel with the first dimension, the first edge including multiple support slots or openings therealong or adjacent thereto, and (ii) when the sheet material is positioned with the first major side adjacent a wall and with the first edge of the sheet material positioned on the ground, each intermediate anchor positioning slot or opening is located at a respective intermediate anchor install location on the wall, and (iii) when the sheet material is placed with the first major side adjacent the wall, the first edge facing downward and each support slot or opening aligned over one of the intermediate anchor install locations, then each hang bracket positioning slot or opening is located at a respective hang bracket install location on the wall, which hang bracket install location is vertically aligned above one of the intermediate anchor install locations.

In another aspect, a method of installing a wall mounted storage system including shelves involves: utilizing a template of sheet material that includes a plurality of openings spaced and positioned for defining storage system component locations on a wall; positioning the template adjacent the wall and installing storage system components at positions defined by the template; removing the template from the wall; installing additional storage system components including at least first and second shelf units; breaking down the template into at least a first shelf liner and a second shelf liner; positioning the first shelf liner on the first shelf unit and positioning the second shelf liner on the second shelf unit.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary wall mounted storage system;

FIGS. 3-13 show an exemplary hang bracket and standard arrangement;

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of a hang bracket and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 15-16 shows another embodiment of a hang bracket and standard arrangement;

FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of a hang bracket and standard arrangement;

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of a hang bracket and standard arrangement;

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of a hang bracket;

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of a hang bracket;

FIGS. 21-23 show one embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 24-25 show another embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 26-27 show another embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 28A-28D schematically depict various anchor assembly arrangements with retainers of differing angles of attack;

FIGS. 29-30 show another embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 31-33 show another embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 34-35 show another embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 36-37 shows another embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 38-39 show another embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 40-41 show another embodiment of an intermediate anchor and standard arrangement;

FIGS. 42-46 show one embodiment of a template system; and

FIG. 47 shows another embodiment of a template system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings and description of various anchor embodiments below, the term wallboard is generally used to refer to the most common wallboard such as drywall, but it is recognized that the anchor components could be suitable for any other friable wallboard material, such as dense corks or foams or other materials that can crumble. Accordingly, the term wallboard as used herein is intended to broadly encompass, for example, both typical drywall (aka plasterboard and gypsum board) and such other friable wallboard materials.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, a wall-mounted storage system 5 (e.g., in the form of a closet organization shelving system) utilizes a series of vertically oriented and horizontally spaced apart standards 10 mounted against the surface of a wall 8. Typically such a storage system 5 will be adaptable to numerous configurations in terms of number of vertical standards 10, location of support brackets 202, and structure fixed to the support brackets. By way of example, FIG. 1 shows the storage system 5 with upper wire rod-type shelving 300 supported on four vertically aligned brackets 202 and lower wire rod-type shelving 302 supported on two vertically aligned brackets 202. On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows the system 5 where the upper brackets 202 only support a rod-type hanger 304 (e.g., for hanging clothes on hangers). Many variations are possible.

Each vertical standard 10 includes a front side 12 having a plurality of mount slots 14 distributed vertically therealong. In the illustrated embodiment, each vertical standard is a channel or U-shaped member with left and right sides 16 and 18 extending rearward from the front side 12. The vertical standard may, for example, be of bent metal plate construction, but other variations are possible. In the illustrated embodiment, pairs of side-by-side mount slots 14 are provided on the front side of the standard as shown, but other variations are possible.

The upper end of each vertical standard 10 is supported on the wall 8 (e.g., of wallboard) by a manually installable hang bracket 20. The hang brackets are mounted at substantially the same height and in a laterally spaced apart manner along the wall 8. In the illustrated embodiment, each hang bracket 20 includes only one vertical standard hung therefrom, but other variations are possible, such as a longer hang bracket supporting multiple vertical standards.

In the illustrated embodiment, each hang bracket 20 is in the form of a hang bracket assembly 22 that includes a carrier bracket 24 and multiple anchor components 28 (e.g., six in this case, though the number may vary). The carrier bracket 24 includes a base 26 with a front side 29 and a back side 30, where the back side 30 seats against the surface of the wall 8 for install. The base 26 also includes a plurality of laterally spaced apart through openings 38. A support portion 32 (e.g., in the form of a flange or rail) of the carrier bracket projects outward and upward from a lower end of the base 26, and a retaining portion 34 (e.g., in the form of a flange or rail) extends outward from an upper end of the base. The front side 29 of the base, the support portion 32 and the retention portion 34 together form a channel when viewed in end profile (per FIG. 5).

The anchor components 28, which may be of metal plate construction (e.g., formed by progressive dies or cast), are pivotably located within the carrier bracket channel at the front side of the base 26. Each anchor component 28 includes a base plate with a lower pivot end 40 and an upper retainer end 42. The anchor components are spaced horizontally side-by-side along the base 26, with the pivot end 40 of each anchor component located behind the support portion 32. The retainer end 42 includes a wall penetrating retainer 44 extending therefrom and having a wall penetrating extent that protrudes rearwardly of the base plate and has a curved configuration. Each anchor component 28 is pivotable between a forward position (e.g., represented by dashed-line form 28′ in FIG. 5) and an install position (e.g., per the solid line form of the anchor components in FIGS. 3-5). In the forward position of an anchor component 28, the retainer end 42 of the anchor component base plate is moved away from the front side of the carrier bracket base 26 and the wall penetrating retainer 44 is forward of the back side of the base 26. When the anchor components are all in the forward position the carrier bracket 24 can be moved around the wall 8 and/or pulled away from the wall 8. In the install position of an anchor component 28, the retainer end 42 is located adjacent the front side of the base 26 and the wall penetrating retainer 44 passes through a respective one of the openings 38 in the base 26 and rearward beyond the back side of the base 26 and into the wall 8 such that the anchor components 28 thereby secure the hang bracket to the wall 8.

As shown schematically in FIG. 5, each wall penetrating retainer 44 includes a primarily arcuate portion 45 (e.g., the wall penetrating extent of the retainer 44) within the wall 8. The radius of curvature (e.g., R45) defined by the wall penetrating extent 45 has a center point that is proximate to the axial pivot point line or axis 50 of each anchor component 28. This geometry minimizes the energy and force required to insert each set of retainers, minimizes damage to the wall and results in small wall surface perforations when the anchor component is removed. After the carrier bracket is positioned adjacent the wall 8 in the desired install location, the anchor components 28 can each then each be manually pushed toward the wall 8 (e.g., one at a time by pressing with a thumb or thumbs at the retainer end), which rotates the corresponding wallboard piercing retainer 44 through the hole 38 in the base 26 and into the wall 8.

Various configurations may be used to pivotably mount the anchor components 28 to the carrier bracket 24 (e.g., such as portions of the carrier bracket including hinge rings that pass through slots in the pivot end of the anchor component). However, embodiments in which the anchor components are releasably retained in the carrier bracket 24 are also possible (e.g., the seat formed within the channel between the front side of the base 26 and the support portion 32 defines a anchor component support shelf and pivot line about which the lower edge of the pivot ends 40 of the anchor components 28 pivot for purpose of installation).

As noted above, each vertical standard 10 may be of U-shaped end profile, with the rear edge of each side wall 16 and 18 including a cutout or slot 52 to engage with the support portion 32 so that the standard hangs from the support portion 32 as shown in FIGS. 6-8. The retention portion 34 of the carrier bracket includes laterally spaced apart slots 35 into which the side walls 16 and 18 fit for the purpose of such mounting (e.g., when the standard 10 is in a raised position to align the lower edge of the angled slots 52 with the free edge of the support portion. The angle on the slots may match the angle on the support portion as shown. One or more of the anchor components 28 may be partially or completely covered by the upper end of the vertical standard 10 when the standard is hung. A cap member 60 (e.g., of molded plastic) can be mounted over the hang bracket 20 and upper end of the standard 10 to provide a clean appearance as shown in FIGS. 9-10.

As shown in FIGS. 11-13, the rear side of the cap member 60 includes a recessed space 62 to size and shaped to surround the carrier bracket 24. The recess 62 may generally have a perimeter shape that matches a perimeter shape of the carrier bracket. Notably, the recessed space 62 may also include one or more features configured to cooperate with the top end of the vertical standard 10 and the retention portion 34 of the carrier bracket 24 to prevent the vertical standard 10 from moving upward off of the support portion 32 of the carrier bracket 24 while the cap member 60 is in place.

In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, the recess 62 includes an upper lateral extent 64 that includes an upper edge 66 sized and configured to fit snugly against the top edge of the carrier bracket and lower edge 68 sized to fit below the retention portion 34. A central pocket 70 receives the upper end of the vertical standard. A retaining lip portion 72 of the cap member is defined by material between lower edge 68 of lateral extent 64 and the upper edge 74 of the pocket 70. The retaining lip portion 72 is positioned between the top end of the vertical standard and the bottom of the retention portion 34. Thus, retaining lip portion 72 interacts with the retention portion 34 to prevent upward movement of the vertical standard (e.g., if the vertical stand 10 moves upward, the top edge of the standard engages and is blocked by the retaining lip portion 72 of the cap member). The lower end of the recessed area is bound by lower lip portions 76 and 78 (separated by the pocket 70) that are shaped to fit snugly against the bottom edge of the carrier bracket. The forward side of the cap member may be of any suitable or desired shape, and may include ornamental features to enhance the external appearance.

While a cap member is primarily described above, other arrangements for limiting vertically upward movement of the standard off of its hang bracket are possible, including other retaining components mounted to the hang bracket, or other retaining features integrated into the hang bracket.

It is recognized that a variety of different hang bracket configurations are possible, as suggested by the additional embodiments discussed below.

FIG. 14 depicts a hang bracket 20-14 similar to hang bracket 20 above except that the carrier bracket 24-14 carries three anchor components 28-14, where each anchor component 28-14 includes two wall penetrating retainers 44-14 rather than one. A narrower version of the FIG. 14 embodiment could include just three vertically spaced anchor components.

FIGS. 15-16 depict a hang bracket 20-15 in which six anchor components 28-15 are utilized, each with a single wall penetrating retainer, where side by side pairs of the anchor components are spaced vertically along the height of the carrier bracket base 26-15. In this embodiment, the support portion 32-15 projects outward and upward from an upper end of the base 26-15, and no retention portion is used. In the FIG. 15 embodiment, each side-by-side pair of anchor components could be replaced with one wide anchor component having two retainers (e.g., resulting in a three anchor component arrangement).

FIG. 17 depicts a hang bracket 20-17 in which six anchor components 28-17 (each with a single wall penetrating retainer) are used. Laterally spaced apart pairs of the anchor components (resulting in a gap between the anchor components that is wide enough to fit the vertical standard 10) are spaced vertically along the height of the base 26-17, and the support portion 32-17 extends from the lower end of the base.

While the above described hang bracket configurations all depict a support portion that generally extends the full lateral width of the hang bracket, it is recognized that support features other than flanges could be used. By way of example, referring to FIG. 19, an exemplary hang bracket 20-19 (anchor components not shown) includes a support portion 32-19 takes the form of spaced apart tabs 290, 292 (e.g., stamped from the bracket body) onto which a lateral internal pin at the upper end of the standard 10 could sit. FIG. 20 shows a hang bracket 20-20 with a support portion 32-20 that spans only a portion of the hang bracket width and includes lateral tabs 282 for lateral alignment of the standard.

In some embodiments it may also be possible to effectively integrate the hang bracket with the vertical standard as suggested by the embodiment of FIG. 18 in which the hang bracket 20-18 is formed by lateral flanges 80 and 82 that extend from the sides 16 and 18 of the standard 10-18. A set of three anchor components 28-18 are spaced vertically along each flange 80, 82. Thus, each flange 80 and 82 forms the hang bracket base, and no support portion is needed due to the integral configuration of the flanges with the standard (e.g., the flanges may be formed unitary with the standard sides and bent outward, or may be formed separately and then welded thereto).

One common feature of all of the above-described hang bracket embodiments is the relatively small size of the hang bracket. In particular, because only a single vertical standard hangs from each hang bracket, a longest dimension of the hang bracket may, in some implementations, be no more than about three inches.

Referring again to FIG. 1, each vertical standard 10 hangs downward from its respective hang bracket along the wall, with the bottom end of the standard spaced above the floor. In order to provide additional stability to the standards 10 in an overall system, one or more intermediate anchors may be provided for each of the standards. A primary purpose of the intermediate anchors is to secure the downwardly hanging portion of the standard against lateral movement along the wall and/or outward movement away from the wall. Accordingly, it is preferred that at least one intermediate anchor be provided along the lower two thirds (e.g., the bottom half) of each standard, such as at location 90 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 21-23, in one implementation, an anchor assembly 100 may be used as the intermediate anchor. The anchor assembly 100 includes a base member 112 including a wall facing side 114, outer side 116, lateral sides 118 and 120 and opposite ends 122 and 124. Lateral sides 118 and 120 extend from the wall facing side 12 to the outer side 116. The ends 122 and 124 are distal portions in a lengthwise (longer) direction or axis 126 of the base member.

The wall facing side 114 includes a base surface 128 for seating against the wall 8. In the illustrated example the base surface is a single planar surface, but it is recognized that variations are possible, such as the base surface being made up of multiple discreet surfaces that together lie in a common plane. The outer side 116 of the base member includes anchor support surfaces 132 and 134 that are angled relative to each other. In the illustrated embodiment the surfaces 132 and 134 converge toward each other as they move from respective ends 122 and 124 toward a mid-section 136 of the base member. Both anchor support surfaces 132, 134 are nonparallel with the base surface 128, with the outer end 138, 140 of each anchor support surface positioned closer to the base surface 128 than the inner end 142, 144 of the anchor support surface. Each anchor support surface 132 and 134 is substantially planar in this embodiment, with the two surfaces ramping toward each other. It is, however, recognized that variations with non-planar support surfaces are possible. It is contemplated that the base member 112 may be formed of a plastic or other polymeric material, but base members of metal or other materials are also possible.

Anchor components 150 and 152 are positioned on the base member 112. Each anchor component 150, 152 has a respective pivot end 154, 156 and a respective retainer end 158, 160. Anchor component 150 is pivotable relative to the base member 112 between a forward position in which the retainer end 158 is spaced away from the anchor support surface 132 and an install position in which the retainer end 158 is positioned toward the anchor support surface 132. Likewise, anchor component 152 is pivotable relative to the base member 112 between a forward position in which the retainer end 160 is spaced away from the anchor support surface 134 and an install position in which the retainer end 160 is positioned toward the anchor support surface 134. In the install position contemplated for each illustrated anchor component, a back side of the anchor component seats against its adjacent anchor support surface.

The retainer end 158 includes one or more wall penetrating retainers 162 with wall penetrating extents that extend rearwardly such that when the anchor component 150 is in the forward position the curved wall penetrating retainer extends toward but not beyond the base surface 128 and when the anchor component is in the install position the curved wall penetrating retainer 162 extends beyond the base surface to enable wall penetration. Likewise, the retainer end 160 includes one or more similar curved wall penetrating retainers 166. While each anchor component is shown with two retainers, more than two retainers could be provided, as could a single retainer.

The wall penetrating extents of the retainers 162 and 166 have a primarily curved configuration (e.g., of an arcuate configuration similar to that described above), where the radius of curvature defined by the arcuate portions of the wall penetrating retainers have a center point that is proximate to the axial pivot point line or axis of each anchor component 150, 152. In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment each anchor component 150 and 152 is independently associated with the base member 112 and mounted thereto by respective pin and slot arrangements 167 and 169. The central portion 136 of the base member includes a pivot base 170 having a laterally extending slot 172, 174 on each side for receiving the pivot end of the respective anchor component 150, 152 and the slots interact with the anchor component pivot ends to define the pivot axis for each anchor component. The radius of curvature of the anchor component retainers may be substantially centered in the respective slot 172 or 174. This geometry minimizes the energy and force required to insert the retainer into the wall, and minimizes damage to the wall and results in small wall surface perforations when the anchor component is removed. Pins (not shown) may be included to retain the anchor components on the base.

As best seen in FIGS. 22 and 23, the anchor assembly 100 may be sized to fit within the channel at the back side of the vertical standard 10. After the anchor assembly 110 is installed in the wall and the standard located over the anchor assembly, the standard may be engaged with the anchor assembly in any suitable manner. In FIG. 23, one or both sides of the standard may include one or more slots 180 through which one or more pin(s) 182 pass to make the connection. The slots may be elongate in the vertical direction and located such that the vertical weight of the standard, as well as any shelving and storage load carried by the standard, is not supported vertically by the intermediate anchor assembly 100. The base member 112 may include one or more lateral openings to receive the pin. The interaction between the pins 182 and the edges of the slot 180 will prevent the standard from being pulled outward away from the wall. Moreover, interaction between the sides of the standard and the anchor assembly will prevent the standard from moving laterally relative to the wall. Where two vertically spaced apart pins are used as shown, the two pins inhibit rotation of the anchor assembly when forces are applied to pull the standard away from the wall.

It is recognized that a variety of different intermediate anchor configurations are possible, as suggested by the additional embodiments discussed below.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show an embodiment in which the intermediate anchor assembly 100-1 includes a base member 112-1 is configured with slots 190 into which retention fingers 192 of the anchor components are positioned. Pins 182 and slots are again used for engagement between the anchor assembly 100-1 and the standard 10.

FIGS. 26 and 27 show an embodiment in which the intermediate anchor assembly 100-2 includes base member 112-2 with an elongated mid-section 136-2 that includes a set of side-by-side slots 198 that align with a corresponding set of the slots 14 in the front side of the standard 10. Rearwardly extending upper support fingers 200 of a shelf bracket 202 can be inserted into the slots 198. The lower anchor component 152-2 of the assembly may align with rearwardly extending lower support fingers 204 of the shelf bracket 202, which fingers 204 may engage the lower anchor component such that the shelf bracket (and ay weight supported thereon) helps to maintain the anchor component 152-2 and anchor assembly in place.

One common and beneficial feature of intermediate anchor assembly embodiments 100, 100-1 and 100-2 is that the center of the radius of curvature of the anchor component retainers of both anchor components, also the pivot point of both anchor components, is offset from the wall surface and, in embodiments that include a base member, the base surface. This offset increases the angle of attack of the retainer into the wall. The angle of attack of a given retainer can be defined as the angle between a line or plane running from the point of retainer entry into the wall to the pivot axis about which the retainer moves and a line or plane normal to the wall surface. Referring to FIGS. 28A-28D, various anchor assembly configurations are shown with anchor components in installed positions within the wall. The anchor assemblies include respective points of retainer entry 800A-800D, respective retainers 802A-802D, respective pivot axes 804A-804D, respective normal lines 806A-806D and respective angles of attack aA-aD for one anchor component 808A-808D of the illustrated anchor assembly 810A-810D. It is recognized that the other anchor component of each anchor assembly includes a similarly defined angle of attack.

As suggested by the schematic depictions, as the pivot point of an anchor component retainer moves outward away from the wall surface, the angle of attack increases and the amount of wall material encompassed by the retainer to resist pull-out of the retainer perpendicular to the wall surface (as represented by triangular areas 812A-812D) increases. Likewise, the anchor retention capability under cantilever loads (such as from a shelf supported on the anchor assembly) also increase. The most critical feature regard to these advantages is the increase in the linear extent to which the curved retainer lies behind the wallboard surface, as reflected in each case by line 814A-814D (e.g., basically the linear projection of the retainer in the wall surface plane). In the illustrated case, retainer 802A is shorter than retainer 802B, which in turn is shorter than retainer 802C, which in turn is shorter than retainer 802D, with all retainers approaching, but not passing through the backside of the wallboard, as is preferred. However, even in the case where the retainers 802B-802D were all the same length as retainer 802A, the retainers 802B-802D would progressively encompass more wallboard material.

Generally, it has been discovered that although more wall material can be encompassed by the retainers using a more aggressive angle of retainer attack, the force required for anchor component insertion also increases. It has been determined that a desirable range for balancing these two characteristics is to provide an angle of attack in the range of between about fifty-five degrees and about eighty degrees, such as about sixty degrees to about seventy-five degrees. However, other variations in the angle of attack are contemplated.

FIGS. 29 and 30 show an embodiment in which the intermediate anchor assembly 100-3 is located alongside the standard 10 and interconnects with the standard via a pin 210 that protrudes from a side of the standard. The anchor assembly includes a pin sleeve 212 that defines a receiving channel for the pin 210. A back plate 214 of the anchor assembly includes a wall penetrating retainer 216, which may have a primarily arcuate wall penetrating extent as described above, portion with a radius of curvature centered on the center of the sleeve channel or the lower edge of the back plate, which serves as the pivot point for wall installation. Although FIGS. 29 and 30 depict only one anchor assembly 200-3 on the right side of the standard, a similar anchor assembly (mirror image configuration) could be provided on the left side as well.

FIGS. 31-33 show an embodiment in which a pair of intermediate anchors 100-4 engage with each side of standard 10. In particular, each side of the standard includes vertically spaced apart slots 220 into which mount flanges 222 with vertically extending fingers extend. The interaction between the flanges 222 and the slots 220 enables the anchors-100-4 to be pivoted about a vertical axis (e.g., 226) for purpose of installation. In this regard, the anchor includes a plate from which arcuate wall penetrating retainers 228 extend. In this arrangement the retainers 228 would extend horizontally within the wall rather than vertically as in the case of the aforementioned intermediate anchor embodiments. Identical anchor components 100-4 can be used on the opposite sides of the standard 10 if the two anchor components are inverted relative to each other.

FIGS. 34-35 show an embodiment in which the intermediate anchor assembly 100-5 includes side plates 230 with respective retainers 232, where the side plates 230 are interconnected by a U-shaped portion 234 sized to fit about the standard 10. The U-shaped portion 234 includes rearwardly extending fingers 236 that fit within the standard slots 14.

FIGS. 36-37 show an embodiment in which the intermediate anchor assembly 100-6 is integrated with the standard 10-6, and is formed by lateral flanges 240 and 242 that extend from the sides 16 and 18 of the standard 10-6. Each flange includes a respective anchor component 244, 246 mounted thereon. The flanges may be formed unitary with the standard sides and bent outward, or may be formed separately and then welded thereto.

FIGS. 38-39 show an embodiment in which the anchor assembly 100-7 is integrated with the standard 10-7 by a hinge pin 250 internal of the channel of the standard 10-7. The anchor component 257 has a plate 252 with a lower end having a hinge loop 254 about the hinge pin 250 such that the anchor component is permanently mounted to the standard 10-7. After the standard is positioned against the wall, a tool 256 may be used to shift the anchor component from its forward position (FIG. 39) to its install position (not shown) in which the anchor component retainer 258 is inserted within the wall. The tool 256 includes a push panel 260 and rearward protruding prongs 262 that pass through respective openings 264 in the front side of the standard to move into contact with the plate and rotated the plate toward the wall. The tool may be retained in the standard, or may be removable.

FIGS. 40-41 show an embodiment in which two identical intermediate anchor assemblies 100-8 are engaged with the standard 10 above and below each other, and with the anchor assemblies 100-8 inverted relative to each other. Each anchor assembly 100-8 includes a U-shaped body 400 about that fits about the standard and retainers 402 protruding from the rear edges of the side portions of the body 400. Tabs 404 protrude from the front plate of the main body 400 and fit with the standard slots 14. As shown, the tabs of the two anchor assemblies 100-8 extend in opposite vertical directions, as do the retainers 402, due to the relative inversion.

Referring now to FIGS. 42-46, a template system useful for installation of the storage system components, specifically the hang brackets and the intermediate anchors, is show. The system includes a template 300 comprised of a sheet material having a plurality hang bracket positioning slots or openings 302 therein and a plurality of intermediate anchor positioning slots or openings 304 therein. In the illustrated embodiment hang bracket edge slots 302 are provided and fully circumscribed intermediate anchor openings 304 are provided. The sheet material has a folded configuration (e.g., FIG. 42) for package insertion and an unfolded configuration (e.g., FIG. 43) for system install. In the illustrated embodiment the folded configuration includes three panel portions 306, but variations are possible. Suitable fold lines (e.g. perforations, cuts or scores) may be formed in the sheet material to facilitate the fold.

The sheet material is configured such that in the unfolded configuration the sheet material has a generally rectangular shape with a horizontal dimension X and a vertical dimension Y, where the horizontal dimension X is larger than vertical dimension Y. Edges 308 and 310 of the sheet material are substantially linear (with the exception of any slots or cutouts) and run substantially parallel with dimension X. When the sheet material is placed adjacent a wall 8 with the edge 310 of the sheet material placed on the ground (e.g., as per FIGS. 43 and 4), each intermediate anchor positioning slot or opening 304 is located at a respective, desired intermediate anchor install location on the wall. The abutment between the floor and the sheet edge 310 effectively levels the template and assures that all intermediate anchor assemblies will be positioned at desired heights. Intermediate anchor assembly 100 is shown being installed in one opening 304 in FIG. 44. Once a first intermediate anchor assembly is installed the interaction between the opening 304 and the installed anchor assembly will assure that the remaining openings 304 are spaced as needed for the desired lateral spacing between vertical standards.

After all of the intermediate anchor assemblies have been installed, the template 300 can then be repositioned such that edge 310 of the sheet material is facing upward and each intermediate anchor positioning slot or opening 304 is aligned over one of the installed intermediate anchor assemblies (e.g., per FIGS. 45 and 46). Each hang bracket positioning slot or opening 302 will then be located at a respective, desired hang bracket install location on the wall 8, which in the illustrated embodiment is vertically aligned above one of the intermediate anchor install locations. The hang brackets 20 can then be installed in the slots 304. Once all the hang brackets 20 are installed, the standards can be hung from the hang brackets and engaged with the intermediate anchors. Cap members, shelf brackets, shelves and other components can then be installed as desired to define the final storage system configuration.

FIG. 47 shows a plan view of an alternative template 300-1, in which both long edges 308-1 and 310-1 include slots, with edge 308-1 including hang bracket positioning slots 302-1 and with edge 308-1 including multiple support slots 320-1. In this arrangement, for purpose of component installation edge 310-1 is placed on the ground and anchor assemblies are installed at the intermediate anchor positioning openings 304-1. The template is then lifted upwards and the support slots 320-1 positioned over the tops of the installed anchor assemblies (e.g., with edge 301-1 still facing downward), which then raised the hang bracket positioning slots 302-1 to the desired heights for hang bracket install.

FIG. 34 also depicts horizontal fold lines 322 in the sheet material, horizontal separation lines 324 in the sheet material and vertical separation lines 326 in the sheet material. By way of example, where the sheet material is formed of a corrugated plastic material, the fold lines 322 may be comprised of perforations in just one surface or layer of the corrugated plastic while the separation lines may be comprised of perforations in both surfaces or layers of the corrugated plastic. However, other variations are possible.

After the template 300-1 has been used to install the hang brackets and intermediate anchors, it can be removed from the wall and broken down for use in the shelf system. In particular, the sheet material can first be separated along lines 324 and the upper and lower segments of the sheet material discarded. The remaining sheet material can be separated along separation lines 326, which are spaced apart to define shelf depth size shelf liner units. After the shelf brackets have been installed on the standards (e.g., per shelf brackets 202 in FIG. 1) and suitable interconnecting shelf racking (e.g., wire form racking) has been supported between two or more shelf brackets, the shelf liner units can be placed onto shelves as shelf liners as shown in FIG. 1.

While the above template embodiment contemplate templates having a collapsed configuration in the form of a folded configuration and an expanded configuration in the form of an unfolded configuration, it is recognized that other variations are possible. For example, the template could have a collapsed configuration in the form of a rolled configuration and an expanded configuration in the form of an unrolled configuration.

Thus, the template system provides a method of installing a wall mounted storage system including shelves, where the method includes: utilizing a template of sheet material that includes a plurality of openings spaced and positioned for defining storage system component locations on a wall; positioning the template adjacent the wall and installing storage system components at positions defined by the template; removing the template from the wall; installing additional storage system components including at least first and second shelf units; breaking down the template into at least a first shelf liner and a second shelf liner; and positioning the first shelf liner on the first shelf unit and positioning the second shelf liner on the second shelf unit.

In any of the foregoing anchor assembly embodiments, the wall penetrating retainers can also be configured with other advantageous features.

For example, to facilitate manual wallboard penetration and passage without tools, utilizing thumb or palm force only, the wallboard penetrating retainers may be formed with a relatively smooth external surface finish (e.g., achieved by polishing, painting, plating or other coating). In this regard, the surface of the wallboard penetrating retainers can be manufactured with or modified to a maximum average surface roughness of about 20 μinch (e.g., in some cases a maximum average surface roughness of about 15 μinch). In one implementation, just the end portion of the wallboard penetrating retainers are worked, processed or otherwise formed to achieve this desired low surface roughness feature in order to reduce manufacturing cost. The latter implementation would reduce install force but maintain friction on the rougher portions of the penetrating retainer to resist removal forces. The retainers may have a polished surface finish and/or a plated surface finish and/or a painted finish and/or a lubricant (e.g., Teflon) incorporated into the surface finish.

The wallboard penetrating retainers may also be configured such that the distal end of each wallboard penetrating retainer is shaped to provide a point. Proper sizing of the wallboard penetrating retainer(s) can also be used to achieve more user friendly performance of an anchor. In particular, in some implementations when the anchor assembly is installed at the front surface of the wallboard, the distal ends of the wallboard penetrating retainers may be positioned proximate to the rear surface of the wall without penetrating the paper layer at the rear surface. The cross-sectional sized of the retainers can be selected as suitable for manual installation.

The anchor assemblies can generally be installed without the use of tools (e.g., by user thumb force to rotate the anchor component) and provide a very beneficial load support capability once installed. Moreover, upon removal of the anchor from the wall the size of the hole(s) that are left for repair will be small, which (i) makes it simpler for the novice homeowner to make a clean wall repair with as little as just paint fill and (ii) more readily allows for slight repositioning of the anchor (e.g., in close proximity to the existing holes) if needed.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible. For example, the anchors could be formed with snap in place retainers (e.g., wire form retainers that snap into place on metal or plastic plate) or the anchors could be produced using an overmold process (e.g., an overmold to connect retainers to a plastic plate or an overmold of the metal plate and retainer combination). Moreover, while installation of the anchors into walls of a friable type (e.g., wallboard) are primarily described, it is recognized that the anchors could be mounted to walls of more dense material. For example, the anchors could be installed into walls of wood material by pre-drilling holes for each retainer of suitable size such that, when the retainer passes into the pre-drilled hole it wedges within the hole. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage system, comprising: at least one hang bracket mountable on a wall, the hang bracket including a base and a support portion; a vertical standard including a front side having a plurality of mount slots distributed vertically therealong, and a rear portion configured for engagement with the support portion, at least one anchor component pivotably positioned at a front side of the base, the anchor component including a pivot end and a retainer end, the retainer end including at least one wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom and having a wall penetrating extent that extends rearwardly of the base when in an install position.
 2. The storage system of claim 1 wherein the wall penetrating retainer passes through an opening in the base when in the install position.
 3. The storage system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of anchor components are positioned at a front side of the base.
 4. The storage system of claim 1 wherein: the hang bracket further comprises the support portion projecting outward and upward from the base, a retention portion projecting outward from the base, the retention portion located above the support portion, the rear portion of the standard engaged with the support portion such that a top end of the standard is located between the support portion and the retention portion, a cap member mounted over the hang bracket to cover both the hang bracket and the top end of the standard.
 5. The storage system of claim 1 wherein: a rear side of the cap member is configured to cooperate with the top end of the vertical standard and the retention portion to prevent the vertical standard from moving upward off of the support portion while the cap member is in place.
 6. A storage system, comprising: a plurality of hang brackets mounted on a wall, the hang brackets mounted at substantially the same height and laterally spaced apart; a plurality of vertical standards, each vertical standard including a front side having a plurality of mount slots, each vertical standard hung from a respective one of the hang brackets, wherein each hang bracket supports only one vertical standard.
 7. The storage system of claim 6 wherein: each hang bracket comprises a base with a back side seated against the wall, a support portion projecting outward and upward from the base, one or more anchor components pivotably located at a front side of the base, each anchor including a pivot end and a retainer end, the retainer end including at least one curved wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom and passing through a respective opening in the base such that a wall penetrating extent of the retainer is engaged within the wall so as to secure the hang bracket to the wall.
 8. The storage system of claim 7 wherein, for each hang bracket, a body of each anchor component is seated against the front side of the base.
 9. The storage system of claim 8 wherein, for each hang bracket, at least three anchor components are pivotably located at the front side of the base.
 10. The storage system of claim 7 wherein, for each hang bracket, multiple anchor components are spaced horizontally along the base, the support portion projects outward and upward from a lower portion of the base, the pivot end of each anchor component is located behind the support portion.
 11. The storage system of claim 10 wherein, for each hang bracket, at least one of the anchor components is covered by an upper portion of the vertical standard that is hung from the support portion.
 12. The storage system of claim 7 wherein, for each hang bracket, multiple anchor components are spaced vertically along the base, the support portion projects outward and upward from an upper portion of the base, and each anchor component is located below the support portion.
 13. The storage system of claim 12 wherein, for each hang bracket, at least a portion of each of the anchor components is covered by an upper portion of the vertical standard that is hung from the support portion.
 14. The storage system of claim 13 wherein, for each hang bracket, an entirety of each of the anchor components is covered by the upper portion of the vertical standard that is hung from the support portion.
 15. The storage system of claim 7 wherein, for each hang bracket, multiple anchor components are spaced vertically along the base, the support portion projects outward and upward from lower portion of the base, and each anchor component is located above the support portion.
 16. The storage system of claim 6, wherein: each hang bracket comprises a base with a back side seated against the wall, a support portion projecting outward and upward from the base, a retention portion projecting outward from the base, the retention portion located above the support portion, in the case of each hang bracket a top end of the vertical standard hung therefrom is located between the support portion and the retention portion, a cap member is mounted over each hang bracket, in the case of each cap member a rear side of the cap member is configured to cooperate with the top end of the vertical standard and the retention portion to prevent the vertical standard from moving upward off of the support portion while the cap member is in place.
 17. The storage system of claim 16 wherein, in the case of each cap member, the rear side of the cap member includes a lip portion that fits between the top end of the vertical standard and the retention portion.
 18. The storage system of claim 16 wherein, in the case of each cap member, the rear side of the cap member includes a recess having a perimeter shape that matches a perimeter shape of the hang bracket.
 19. The storage system of claim 6, wherein: each hang bracket comprises a base with a back side seated against the wall, and a support portion projecting outward and upward from the base, the standard hung from the support portion, and a vertical retention member or feature is engaged with the standard to prevent the vertical standard from moving upward off of the support portion.
 20. The storage system of claim 6 wherein, in the case of each vertical standard, an intermediate anchor is installed along a lower half of the vertical standard to secure the vertical standard to the wall.
 21. The storage system of claim 20 wherein, in the case of each vertical standard, the intermediate anchor interacts with the vertical standard such that a weight of the vertical standard or any load supported by the vertical standard is not vertically supported by the intermediate anchor.
 22. The storage system of claim 20 wherein, in the case of each intermediate anchor, the intermediate anchor includes at least one curved wall penetrating retainer.
 23. The storage system of claim 22 wherein at least one curved wall penetrating retainer of each intermediate anchor extends downward and rearward within the wall.
 24. The storage system of claim 23 wherein each intermediate anchor includes at least two curved wall penetrating retainers.
 25. The storage system of claim 22 wherein at least one curved wall penetrating retainer of each intermediate anchor extends upward and rearward within the wall.
 26. The storage system of claim 20 wherein each intermediate anchor is hidden behind its respective vertical standard.
 27. The storage system of claim 20 wherein each intermediate anchor is positioned alongside its respective vertical standard.
 28. A storage system, comprising: at least one hang bracket mounted on a wall; a vertical standard including a front side having a plurality of mount slots distributed vertically therealong, the vertical standard hung from the hang bracket, wherein the hang bracket comprises a base with a back side seated against the wall, a support portion projecting outward and upward from the base, a plurality of anchors pivotably located at a front side of the base, each anchor component including a pivot end and a retainer end, the retainer end including at least one wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom and passing through a respective opening in the base such that a curved wall penetrating extent of the retainer is engaged within the wall so as to secure the hang bracket to the wall.
 29. A hang bracket and vertical standard combination mountable on a wall, comprising: a hang bracket comprising a base with a back side for seating against a wall, a plurality of anchor components pivotably located at a front side of the base, each anchor component including a pivot end and a retainer end, the retainer end including at least one curved wall penetrating retainer extending therefrom and having a rearwardly extending wall penetrating extent, each anchor component pivotable between a forward position and an install position, in the forward position the retainer end is moved away from the front side of the base and the wall penetrating extent is forward of the back side of the base, in the install position the retainer end is located adjacent the front side of the base and the wall penetrating retainer passes rearward of the back side of the base; a vertical standard supported by the hang bracket.
 30. The combination of claim 29 wherein the hang bracket is formed separately from the vertical standard and the vertical standard is removably hung on the hang bracket.
 31. The combination of claim 29 wherein the hang bracket is integral with the vertical standard such that the vertical standard is not removable from the hang bracket. 32-52. (canceled)
 53. The combination of claim 29 wherein another vertical standard is supported by the hang bracket.
 54. The storage system of claim 28 wherein another vertical standard is hung from the hang bracket. 